An Irish language Mass and celebrating Irish women in New York

Fighting 69th Honor Guard at the New York History Roundtable Mass in 2012

This March The New York Irish History Roundtable have planned to celebrate the people of Ireland’s history in New York with a mass “as Gaeilge” (in Irish) at the Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral and a discussion on “An Irishwoman in New York: A Migration Memoir."

The New York Irish History Roundtable was founded in 1984 to promote interest in and research on the history of people of Irish heritage in New York City. It provides opportunities for members to exchange information and for members to learn from each other, about the complex relationship between the Irish and New York City since the colonial period.

On Saturday, March 9, 12:00 noon, the New York Irish History Roundtable, Glucksman Ireland House NYU, and the Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral will join together to celebrate an Irish-language Mass.

Father Andrew O’Connor will be the celebrant, along with Monsignor Donald Sakano, pastor of Old St. Patrick’s, and Father Gavin Reilly. Following the Mass, the Washington Square Harp & Shamrock Orchestra will entertain the crowd with live ceili music.

On Saturday, March 23, 2:00 – 3:30 pm, the New York Irish History Roundtable is presenting “An Irishwoman in New York: A Migration Memoir” with Maura Mulligan, author of Call of the Lark, at the parish house of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral.

In this evocative and vivid discussion, Mulligan will take us on an immigrant’s journey from rural County Mayo to the bustling City of New York in 1958. She will discuss how she adapted to a complex and diverse new culture, her first job, her first subway ride, her desire to embrace religious life as a novice in a Franciscan novitiate in Peekskill, New York, and her decision –16 years later – to leave the convent and join the world once again.

Since those early days in New York, Mulligan has had a varied career. She’s taught English as a second language in New York City’s public schools, and currently teaches Irish language and dance in the New York area.

Her writings have appeared in the Irish Times, Irish America, The Irish Echo, the Irish Examiner, Set Dancing News and on the websites ducts.org and mrbellersneighborhood.com.

She’s been a featured reader at various literary venues, such as the Thalia Café at Symphony Space and at Molloy College. Her memoir, the “Call of the Lark," a portrait of one woman’s strength and determination to forge a fulfilling life, has been described by Irish Echo columnist Larry Kirwan as “an essential, revealing chapter in the Irish-American story.” (Suggested donation $3.00.)